The bamboo skewer is a good idea! Interestingly, a while back I made a table runner much like this quilt, and wanted to quilt on the diagonals, which was fine until I got into the white border area. Like you, I improvised, using the back (and very blunt) side of my little sewing scissors. (It was a just "git 'er done!" moment, you know?) I think I like the bamboo skewer better! --Becky C.